Suicidal Thoughts
Treatment for Suicidal Thoughts
Many people experience thoughts of suicide at some point in their lives. It’s important to understand that you are not alone. At Miramont Behavioral Health, our mental health professionals offer compassionate, intensive care for adolescents and adults with suicidal ideation or thoughts of suicide. We understand that suicidal thoughts or behaviors may stem from underlying conditions such as depression, hopelessness, severe anxiety, insomnia, or panic attacks. We take a holistic and individualized approach to healing that immediately addresses the crisis at hand.
If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, it’s important to reach out for help immediately.
FOR IMMEDIATE HELP
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts, get help now.
Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Call a free and confidential suicide lifeline. In the US, call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, at any time of day, or chat at 988lifeline.org. To reach the Veterans Crisis Life, call 988 and press “1.”
Assessing Suicide Risk And Behavior
A person can have thoughts of suicide and never attempt it. However, a person may also attempt suicide after only briefly experiencing suicidal ideations. This is why it is imperative that all threats of suicide be treated seriously.
What To Watch For
A person experiencing thoughts of suicide may display the following signs and behaviors:
- Threatens to hurt or kill oneself
- Attempts to access weapons, medication, or other means of suicide
- Talks or writes about death
- Exhibits revenge-seeking behavior
- Talks about feeling trapped
- Talks about having no purpose
- Withdraws from friends, family, school, work, or other important relationships
- Engages in risky behavior
Suicide Risk Factors
Though risk factors do not cause or predict suicide, they may make it more likely that an individual will consider or attempt suicide. Risk factors for suicide may include:
- Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders
- Hopelessness
- Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
- Major physical or chronic illnesses
- Previous suicide attempt
- Family history of suicide
- Recent job or financial loss
- Recent loss of a relationship
- Easy access to lethal means
- Local clusters of suicide
- Lack of social support and sense of isolation
- Stigma associated with asking for help
- Lack of health care, especially mental health treatment
- Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
- Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)
These symptoms aren’t exclusive to heroin use, but if your loved one has a history of substance abuse and you suspect heroin use, get them help before it’s too late. Your suspicions are likely correct.
If you or a family member needs help with suicidal thoughts, get it now.
You aren’t the only one who is suffering.
Behavioral Effects of
Heroin Addiction
As the addiction to heroin progresses, a person commonly begins to show behavioral inconsistencies, including:
- Lying / Theft
- Substantial increases in sleeping
- Incoherent speech, rambling
- Lack of pride in personal hygiene and appearance
- Sudden distance from friends and family
- Borrowing money
- Extreme mood swings, manic behavior
- Emotional projection
Withdrawing From Heroin
The high of heroin is described as calm warmth spreading through the body. Users experience temporary feelings of happiness, contentment, and ease of any concerns.
But when the high wears off, the user will experience mild symptoms like irritability, anxiety, sweating, aching muscles, and insomnia. Then, if they don’t use again, they could start showing more severe symptoms like vomiting and intense muscle cramping.
Although withdrawal from heroin is not life-threatening, the effects can happen so quickly that an addict continues to use just to avoid “dopesickness.”
About Heroin Addiction Treatment
Sadly, the number of heroin-related deaths continues to rise. At Miramont, we support and believe in every individual’s ability to turn their life around and heal from heroin addiction. The first step is admitting you have a problem. Then, Miramont can help you start on the path to recovery.
We’ll walk with you through the difficult withdrawal process. We’ll prepare you for all that comes next in your ongoing recovery.
Your journey to sobriety can start today. Give us a call and save your life.
Health Risks From Heroin Use
There are many health risks associated with heroin abuse. Short-term risks include fatal overdose. Here are other potential risks:
- HIV/AIDS (intravenous use)
- Hepatitis C (intravenous use)
- Collapsed veins (intravenous use)
- Infection of the heart lining and valves
- Abscesses
- Cellulitis
- Liver Disease
- Pulmonary complications, including pneumonia
Some are from long-term use, but it only takes one dirty needle to contract HIV or Hepatitis C.
